No.9017   2005. 1. 25

Suntory Yamazaki Distillery to hold “Whisky Sound Gallery in Yamazaki”
‘The Live and Malt Whisky at the Storeroom’ 2005 premier
Featuring Naotaro Moriyama

Suntory Ltd. is to hold “Whisky Sound Gallery in Yamazaki,” a musical live at the whisky storeroom in Suntory Yamazaki Distillery (Factory Manager: Hiroyoshi Miyamoto; Shimamoto, Mishima, Osaka Pref.) on Sunday 27th March 2005.

“Whisky Sound Gallery” was inaugurated last year to create more opportunities to be in touch with whisky for the young generation in 20s and 30s to experience malt whisky along with soothing sound of music at the distilleries. Last year Suntory held 6 performances in total at Yamazaki and Hakushu Distilleries, receiving over 27,000 pairs of entries. The invited guests truly enjoyed the occasions with such positive responses as “wonderful to be surrounded by the space with the sound resonating to wooden casks and pot stills,” “feeling special while listening to the music and trying malt whisky for the first time,” etc. This year 5 performances each and total of 10 are scheduled at the two distilleries, providing more varieties of customers with diversified indulgence in the world of whisky.

• “Whisky Sound Gallery in Yamazaki 2005 Vol.1”
”Whisky Sound Gallery,” held at Yamazaki Distillery, has been co-organized with FM802, a popular radio station in Kansai area, being named as “PRIME HITZ802 SUNTORY Presents ‘Whisky Sound Gallery in Yamazaki’ The 2005 kick-off features a special live performed by Naotaro Moriyama together with whisky. Moriyama, since his major debut in October 2002, has been widely supported by the fans throughout the country for his live performance leading to his million-selling 2nd maxi-single “Sakura (solo)” released in March 2003. With his unique style, Moriyama has been experimenting the ways to deliver his messages in various fields. The 7th maxi-single “TOKI-NO-YUKUE ∼ JO/HARU-NO-SORA (time’s whereabouts ~ first chapter/spring sky)” will be on sale on 23rd February 2005.

<Profile: Naotaro Moriyama>
DOB: 23rd April 1976
Not interested in music at all during his childhood. Found his destiny to pursue music career while in search of his identity as growing up. After a certain learning process, finally major-debuted with an album “KAWAITA-UTA-WA-SAKANA-NO-ESA-NI- CHODO-II (dried song suits for fish feed).” Ever since then, continuously seeking for ‘the better and new’ styles suitable to his unique expressions and actively exploring his world.

<Activities in 2005 at Yamazaki Distillery>
”Yamazaki Distillery,” since its establishment at the foot of Tennozan, Kyoto in 1923, has nurtured its tradition as the home of whisky making for over 80 years. Minaseno, the area has been long known for its premier natural water, surrounded by graceful nature of bamboo forest to produce the worldly sought-after malt base with rich taste and aroma distilled and aged in wooden casks.

An increasing number of customers visit the distillery, and last year received a 40% rise year-on-year to 260,000 visitors.

This year Yamazaki Distillery plans to actively hold various events and interactive seminars in addition to the existing tours. As for the young customers who have been less experienced in drinking whisky, the distillery will host seasonal events including “Whisky Sound Gallery” to introduce the world of whisky in more fun and casual settings. Targeting to those who started drinking whisky, the distillery will organize interactive workshops on whisky, health, food and home party tips in hope for suggesting new values of the drink. The whisky lovers will continue to be able to enjoy the programs at “Whisky University,” where the old hands of whisky making give a lecture on the production process and quality control.

Yamazaki Distillery offers its tasting sessions in “Half Rock” style to present mellow and mild malt whisky including “Yamazaki 12 Years” and “Kitamori 12 Years.”

▼Date & Time

Sunday, 27th March 2005

door open 5:00pm start 5:30pm

▼Venue

Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
5-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto, Mishima, Osaka Pref.

▼Organizers

Suntory Ltd. / FM802

▼Performer

Naotaro Moriyama

▼Invitations

50 pairs 100 people

▽ Further information:
　Suntory Ltd.
　(Osaka) TEL: 06-6346-0835
　Dojimahama 2-1-40, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-8203, Japan
　(Tokyo) TEL: 03-5579-1150
　Daiba 2-3-3, Minato-ku, Tokyo 135-8631, Japan
　Website:http://www.suntory.co.jp/